Nestle launches nutrition initiative to help children

VEVEY, SWITZERLAND — Nestle S.A. on May 15 launched “Nestle for Healthier Kids,” a global initiative geared toward development of healthier products and advice for families on nutrition and exercise.

Nestle has taken steps in the past to promote nutrition and health, but the latest initiative is being billed as “accelerating the transformation of its food and beverage portfolio worldwide.”

In 2017, Nestle said it launched more than 1,000 new products with a focus on meeting the nutritional needs of children. The company also last year provided 174 billion servings of fortified foods and beverages in 66 countries where people lack essential micronutrients such as iron, iodine and vitamin A.

“Childhood is a time where lifelong habits are formed,” said Mark Schneider, chief executive officer of Nestle. “We want to help parents make healthier choices for their children. This is why we are accelerating our efforts to support families in raising healthier kids, and we call on others to join us in this endeavor.”

As part of Nestle for Healthier Kids, the company has pledged to meet the following goals by 2020:

Add at least 750 million portions of vegetables to its products.

Add at least 300 million portions of fiber-rich grains, pulses, nuts and seeds to its products.

Further reduce sugars by 5%. The company has reduced sugars by more than 34% since 2000.

Further reduce salt by 10%. The company has reduced salt by more than 20% since 2005.

Complete the commitment taken in 2014 to reduce saturated fats by 10% in all relevant products that do not meet World Health Organization recommendations.

Some of the goals were revealed a little more than a year ago, when Nestle unveiled its 2020 commitments together with three long-term ambitions in support of the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The company’s long-term ambitions are to help 50 million children lead healthier lives, to help to improve 30 million livelihoods in communities directly connected to the company’s business activities, and to strive for zero environmental impact in operations.